Quins and C of I impress with Irish Junior Cup victories

Cork Church of Ireland and Cork Harlequins were the biggest winners on a productive Irish Junior Cup weekend for Munster teams.

Simon Wolfe’s hat-trick underpinned C of I’s 7-0 dismantling of UCD as the Leesiders passed the Dublin students off the park. Quins’ men, featuring former international Paul Lombard at this level for the first time in over a decade, racked up a 4-0 victory against South Antrim.

UCC gave heavyweights Lisnagarvey a real test at the Mardyke but the Ulster men’s neater touches in the circle secured a 2-0 success.

The shock of the round came at Whitechurch Park, where Corinthian eliminated holders Monkstown 1-0.

UCC’s women chalked up a similarly eye-catching result, Emma Dobson’s strike giving them a deserved 1-0 win over 2011 and 2012 champions Railway Union in Cork.

Lisa Buttimer and Cathy Walsh grabbed the goals as Cork C of I took their chances in a scrappy 2-0 win over Old Alex, while Cork Harlequins advanced with a brace from former Irish international Karen Bateman and one from Scoil Mhuire schoolgirl Niamh O’Donnell in a brilliant 3-2 win at Ulster Elks.

A strong UCD side — featuring Jeamie Deacon and Caroline Hill — pummelled Ashton 8-0. Defending champions Pembroke Wanderers came through unscathed with a 4-2 win at Randalstown while Hermes won a bizarre game 8-3 at Glenanne.

The second round draw is on December 3, with Bandon women among those to get a bye. Domestically, Bandon made a statement in the women’s Division One beating Ashton 6-2 on Saturday. Loraine Copithorne hit a hat-trick while Jenny Buttimer celebrated making the first cut of the Irish U16 panel — Fermoy keeper Kathryn Buckley and Ashton’s Michelle Barry the other Munster girls kept on — with two goals. Sophie Fischer’s goal of the season contender was the highlight of UCC’s 5-0 dismantling of Cork C of I. Champions Cork Harlequins kept their 100% record with a facile 9-0 success against UL.